Recognize that the Savior knows your potential and your spouse’s potential better than either of you knows your own or your spouse’s potential.Listen to the Spirit and trust Him.
I don’t think I am out of the ordinary when it comes to being hard on myself. I don’t know where and how we learn it, but somehow we confuse inadequacy for humility. We are content to make little huts of our lives when, I am convinced, the Savior is prepared to create of our lives a temple. I believe it is difficult to love another person as the Savior would have you if you doubt your ability to love yourself.
I also think it is not my responsibility to change anyone else and make them into someone I think they should be, anymore than it is their responsibility to do the same to me. This is particularly true in marriage. When you marry someone, you need to be prepared to love him or her as he or she is. I overheard Richard on the phone one day talking to a friend from
Richard also loved me just the way I am and he supported me in every endeavor. I remember someone asking President Hinckley how Mormon men treat their women. He said something to the effect that if they are wise, they get out of the way and let the woman become all that she has the potential to become and then marvel at what she can accomplish. I thought you had to be married to a prophet or an apostle to be loved and supported in that way. I now know that regular people can experience that kind of love if they know the secret: God knows your potential because you are His child.
Just as the Savior can give us the love that we need, He can also open our eyes to see our own and our spouses' potentials. Then you can love without condition, and encourage growth toward that potential one day at a time.
Just a little over a week ago, President Thomas S. Monson spoke to the men and young men in the 182 semi-annual general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here are a few excerpts from his talk. While he was talking about growth in the Church by "growing" its people, I found it relevant to this discussion on potential. He said:
President Monson concluded with this prayer:
Twas
battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . ."
But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low, said:
"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone."said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?"
Swift came the reply:
"The Touch Of The Master's Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;
A game - and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand.
Just as the Savior can give us the love that we need, He can also open our eyes to see our own and our spouses' potentials. Then you can love without condition, and encourage growth toward that potential one day at a time.Just a little over a week ago, President Thomas S. Monson spoke to the men and young men in the 182 semi-annual general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here are a few excerpts from his talk. While he was talking about growth in the Church by "growing" its people, I found it relevant to this discussion on potential. He said:
We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become . . . Sometimes letting our brethren know they are needed and valued can help them take that step into commitment and full fellowship[and potential].
President Monson concluded with this prayer:
I pray that we will have the courage to extend the hand of fellowship, the tenacity to try and try again, and the humility needed to seek guidance from our Father . . .
Love others as they are; at the same time, see in them the potential to be more. Then let the Spirit guide as you encourage. I want to close today with a favorite poem:
The Touch Of The Master's Hand
by Myra B. Welch
Twas
battered and scarred, and the auctioneerthought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . ."
But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,With a voice that was quiet and low, said:
"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone."said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?"
Swift came the reply:
"The Touch Of The Master's Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;
A game - and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand.
Text © 2012 Gebara
Education
Picture of hut from www.tavelmongabay.com
Picture of San Antonio Temple from www.mormontemples.net
Picture of Seeing What God Sees from www.rustyrev.wordpress.com
Picture of Thomas S. Monson from www.ldschurch.org
Picture of violin master and text of poem from www.sapphyr.netlargegemsmahtmster
Picture of old violin from www.wikipedia.com
Picture of Christ's hand lifting another from www.spiritoffire.com
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